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Lesson Plan
Folger Library
Adapted by Margeaux Stites
Content Area: English
Othello, William Shakespeare
What is Reputation?
Grade level: 11
Pre-Assessment:
Standards / Goals / Objectives:
Through a group activity, TLW analyze two different quotes and choose which one they agree
with, by standing on either side of the room closest to the quotes (Honors classes) or by raising
either their right or left hand (Standard classes)
Standards:
Analyzes structure and intent of various types of texts
Evaluates the speaker’s intent and bias.
Students will voice their opinion on a topic and explain their reasons or decide whether they
would like to change their mind, with 75% cooperation.
Standards:
Demonstrates an understanding of meaning.
Summarizes accurately or restates verbal information
Structures ideas and arguments in a sustained, logical fashion, which moves the listener to the
speaker’s point of view.
Materials, Media and other Resources:
Pens, paper, text of Othello, Quotes on reputation from Othello
Set Induction:
What do we mean when we say “He or she has a good reputation?” What is reputation? Does
reputation really matter? Why or why not?
Instructional Sequence:
Honors Classes
1. On opposite sides of the room, post two quotes about reputation from Othello but do not tell
the students who said the quotes.
Quote #1:
“Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without
deserving.”
Quote #2:
“Good name in man and woman...is the immediate jewel of their souls./ Who steals my
purse steals trash..../But he that filches from me my good name/ Robs me of that which not
enriches him/ And makes me poor indeed.”
2. Ask two students to read the quotes. Define any words the students do not understand without
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commenting on the truth of the two statements.
3. Ask the students to silently walk to the side of the room of the quote with which they most
agree. Encourage them to make a firm choice but allow them to show their reponses in degrees,
by standing in between the two signs.
4. Begin a discussion by asking students to explain why they have made their individual choices.
As students discuss the issues, allow them to move based on what they are thinking: if they begin
to reconsider their position, they should move to a new physical location. The goal is for students
to cement their position by the end of the discussion.
5. When the discussion has run its course, ask students to return to their seats.
6. Explain to the students that one of the themes in Othello is the importance of reputation. Ask
students whether they know who said these quotes or if they can predict who said them. Explain
that Iago said both of them and tell them to note where to find them in the context of the play.
Ask them why they think he said both of these statements in the play. What does this reveal
about the character, Iago? Explain that the fact that he said two contradictory statements reveals
the duplicity and dishonesty of his character. Remind them about Janus and the two faces.
Discuss Iago’s manipulation of others through language, ask students for examples.
7. At the end of the class, have students comment on the process they have just gone through.
What was the effect of their remaining mobile while discussing and responding to the activity?
Closure:
Were you fooled by the fact that Iago said both of these quotes? Did this help you to understand
how manipulative he is? Did your classmates’ opinions sway your answers? Do you see how
language can be so powerfully persuasive?
Adaptations and Extensions:
Students who have difficulty reading will benefit by having the quotes read aloud and explained
to them.
Students could write a persuasive essay on the importance of reputation.
Ask students to write a journal entry on what reputation means to them
Hold a class debate on both sides of the issue
Assessment:
Participation in discussion and in the activity
Source: The Folger Shakespeare Library online: http://www.folger.edu
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Quote #1:
“Reputation is an idle and most false
imposition, oft got without merit and lost
without deserving.”
Quote #2:
“Good name in man and woman...is the
immediate jewel of their souls./ Who steals
my purse steals trash..../But he that filches
from me my good name/ Robs me of that
which not enriches him/ And makes me poor
indeed.”